MOTHER JONES BY E-MAIL

«--Previous Post | Blog Index | Next Post--»

"That One": Condescending, Not Racist

Let me be the first to say that I do not think McCain's reference to Obama as "that one," which is already getting a ton of attention in the post-debate coverage, is a big deal. It is not the singular of "those people." McCain has always had a sharp tongue and an irreverent, almost cranky, sense of humor. You know, befitting an old uncle or grandpa.

I, for one, read no racism into the comment. Condescension, yes. Racism, no.

Update: The "That One" phenomenon is taking off. T-shirts and logos now available.






Comments

So then we all agree that McCain is a condescending a**hole that thinks Obama is not in the same league as him because he isn't some vaunted "war hero."

I don't think it was racism either--he was being his usual jerky self and he came off like the small person that he is. That being said, I had my fingers crossed for Barack--because I don't think debates are his best format, but he hit this one out of the park in my opinion.

Posted by: TRW on 10/07/08 at 8:06 PM  Respond

I would have said "contemptuous", not just condescending. The "young Senator" is condescending. "That one" is the back of McCain's hand.

Posted by: Ran Siffle on 10/07/08 at 8:37 PM  Respond

Are you serious?

Posted by: the wildness on 10/07/08 at 9:32 PM  Respond

Are you kidding? I'm from the south and calling someone "that one" is about as racist as you can get. You're basically saying "you are not my equal and do not deserve a name".

Posted by: pklim on 10/07/08 at 10:48 PM  Respond

To me the broader point is that the "honorable" John McCain has run such a sleazy campaign that there really is a legitimate question of whether he was just being a jerk or being racist.

Of course you don't think it's racist probably because you're not black, not used to being marginalized and minimized.

Hard to prove this, but if Sen. Obama were a white brethren of the Hanoi Hilton War Criminal I doubt he would have called say Joe Biden "that one." Deep seeded racism - like institutional racism - boils beneath the surface.

Posted by: berniewentboom on 10/08/08 at 6:41 AM  Respond

Please read Oct. 16 issue of Rolling Stone, "Make-Believe Maverick". You'll know for certain why McCain is a truly dangerous choice for president and you'll do everything within your power to keep him from getting elected. You can get a Rolling Stone widget in your igoogle. McCain is patronizing, condescending AND racist. Let's not quibble...

Posted by: Mrs.B on 10/08/08 at 7:41 AM  Respond

It was appropriate to call obama "that one', since he IS not in McCain’s league..:-)

He is just a media creation, an affirmative action creation, which has done NOTHING except further his own goals.

He and his baby momma are the most manipulative south side creations, and his sleazy dealings with all his palls are coming to light.

27 days to tear down the empty suit..:-)

Bill

Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 8:53 AM  Respond

It was appropriate to call obama "that one', since he IS not in McCain’s league..:-)

He is just a media creation, an affirmative action creation, which has done NOTHING except further his own goals.

He and his baby momma are the most manipulative south side creations, and his sleazy dealings with all his palls are coming to light.

27 days to tear down the empty suit..:-)

Bill

Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 8:54 AM  Respond

Sorry for the double post.. button got stuck..:-)

Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 8:55 AM  Respond

Whether condescending or contemptuous (both are appropriate) the real American McCain does not respect the lightweight/Marxist/racist "empty suit" that is the chosen one.

And with good reason.

Posted by: Fred T. on 10/08/08 at 9:12 AM  Respond

This post is a great example of dog whistle racism in today's politics. And there are so many more!


We're tracking political race baiting at www.stopdogwhistleracism.com. We find the good, bad and ugly from the right, left and center about race in the race. Visit us today for a non-partisan take on the race card, and the race card card, in today's politics.


Hope to see you at StopDog!

You are kidding, right?

"Forgetting" Oliver's name, not even looking at the young lady who asked about green jobs.

A consistent approach to treating Obama as neither worthy to be on the same stage with him or as an object, and worse yet, a subhuman.

Yes, it's racist.

You think a guy who could never vote for a MLK holiday doesn't have a racist bone in his body?

And whoever this Bill Nigh guy is can just go ahead and put on his conical hat so he can collect him paycheck from the MKKKain campaign for trolling here.

Don't be afraid to call out the hatemongers, bigots, and anti-American lynch mob loving traitors for what they are.

You know it is a funny thing...hahaha

When real Americans begin to interject the "Truth" into a left wing blog, the only response seems to be name calling..?

How strange that people who pride themselves on being so tolerant, seem to only tolerate opinions that they AGREE with..?

Just because you libs can't handle the truth, is no reason to not see it...HUH?

Your empty suit, hate filled, paper candidate will be rejected by America in great numbers when it comes Election Day..:-)

Bill

Posted by: Bill Nigh on 10/08/08 at 1:11 PM  Respond

Obama is the racist. His pastor Wright of 20 years taught him hate for 20 years, along with his wife. If Obama is elected, he will put into practice his hatred of White people. He is not a unifier, but a divider. Senator Clinton said as much, too. Don't forget Bill.

Posted by: Keith on 10/08/08 at 5:40 PM  Respond

Bill Nigh, what I find funny is how you characterize yourself as a "real American" merely "speaking the Truth". Seems as though I've seen a bit of name calling in your posts because others (who are really just as much "real Americans" as you are) see your "Truth" as just a bunch of stinkin' BS.

I find that what you post, rather than "Truth" is nothing more than your uninformed opinion.

And *that* is the Truth!

Posted by: DaveD on 10/09/08 at 5:14 AM  Respond

Post a comment





 

RECENT COMMENTS

Public School For the Obama Girls, Please? (112)
G Munson wrote: The Obama girls be enrolled in public school ..... By all... [more]

Hedge Fund Managers To Congress: Go Ahead, Regulate Us (3)
John wrote: Brilliant and cogent criticism, Phillip. This sort of comm... [more]

Court Smacks Down Bush Administration in White House Emails Case (12)
Dick Day wrote: Does this mean that the Bush Administration has erased all... [more]

I Was Right to Worry About Black Homophobia (58)
Paul Miller wrote: Jason and many others who've made a similar point are righ... [more]

Mormon Church GOTV for Prop 8: "Do All You Can" (106)
Patrick Henry wrote: Brother Wiggins: You gave us a sequence of historical eve... [more]

Responding to Obama's Win, Michael (Son of) Reagan Says, Go After Dems on Sex (47)
Bob wrote: Tell the son-of-the-guy who raised my taxes 7 times to goo... [more]

Does That Make McCain Emperor Palpatine? (3)
Paul Miller wrote: A Handmaiden's Tale was such a creepy book. No doubt tha... [more]

David Plouffe For Democratic Party Chief? (17)
Alice wrote: Oh dear god NO!! NOT David Plouffe! The D.N.C. needs someo... [more]

Report: Rove Talks "Fairly Regularly" With McCain Camp; Getting Six Figures From Freedom's Watch (15)
Alice wrote: Alot of things have "rove" written all over them. Like the... [more]

Jumpstarting the Obama Administration's Web Functionality (1)
Observant wrote: Looks like we have already the beginning of some " ugly Tr... [more]

XML RSS Feed

Powered by
Movable Type 3.33

Jail.org - Inmate Search
Criminal records, instant public records & people search & current court records. www.jail.org

U.S. Public Records Search
Search County & State Court Records, Criminal records, Vital and Adoption Records www.PublicRecordsInfo.com

Records.com - People Search
Public Records and Background Checks. Instantly Search Criminal Records, Addresses and Court Records www.Records.com

Court Records & County Records
Find Instant Public Records, Criminal Records as Well as County Property Records Search. www.PublicRecordsIndex.com

Real Viagra, Cialis Levitra Deal
Dare to compare our competitive prices. Free overnight delivery to new patients in the US. No catch 22!

Bob's Red Mill Organic Flaxseed Meal
In addition to its great nutty flavor, our flaxseed meal is high in fiber and packed with essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

PEACEFUL HOLIDAY GIFTS
Items featuring the 1958 peace symbol shirts, buttons, hoodys, signs, stickers, pins...more.
union made • detroit peacebuttons.info

End the genocide in Darfur
Every day, Darfuris face rape, murder, and starvation. Be a Voice for Darfur: tell Obama to end the suffering.


















Remembrance of Houses Future

The Shootout in Mumbai

Fairness Doctrine Update

Democrats at the Pentagon


More MoJo voices...



bookIN PRINT

CLICK HERE
for more great reading

headphones IN TUNE
New music every issue

CLICK TO LISTEN

Advertise Liberally

This article has been made possible by the Foundation for National Progress, the Investigative Fund of Mother Jones, and gifts from generous readers like you.

© 2008 The Foundation for National Progress

About Us   Support Us   Advertise   Ad Policy   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Subscribe   RSS